Art of distilling alcohols and other volatile liquids.



. A. G. WATERHOUSE;

ART OF DISTILLING ALGOHOLS AND OTHER VOLATILE LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION lILI-JD AUG. 24. 1908.

939,361. Patented Nov. 9. 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ADDISON G. W' A'IERHOUSE, OF GOOD GROUND, NEW YORK.

- ART OF DISTILLING ALCOHOLS AND OTHER VOLATTLE LIQUIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent. P t t 9, 1909,

Application filed August 24, 1908. Serial No. 449,995.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, ADDISON G. WATER-- noose, a citizen of the United States, residing at Good Ground, Long Island, in the county of Sufli'olk and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements Relating to the Art of Distilling Alcohols and Other Volatile Liquids from Water, of which the following -1s a specification.

My invention relates to those methods of distillin alcohol, wherein either the sin le or doub e effect of heat is employed for driving both steam and alcoholic vapors from the liquid .to be treated, and then sepa rating the steam from the vapor; or by the application of a limited degree of heat, driving the vapor of alcohol from the liquid without generating steam therefrom.

The object of the invention is to conserve the heat required for distilling, whereby large volumes of liquid containing a small percentage of alcohol can be economically em loyed, m invention bein equally a plic able toli quids more rich in alcoholic pro erties. v

y invention contemplates utilizing the heat of the liquid from which the alcohol has been extracted for heating the liquid from which the alcohol is to be secured; and also in employing the combustible or noncombustible nature of vapors or gases, for automatically eflecting the proper separation of the same.

In order to describe my invention so that those versed in the art may utilize the same, reference will be had to the accom an ing drawings, inwhich like characters mdicate like parts, and in which;

Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, a distilling apparatus by. which my invention may e be applied, and into which liquid can be automatically admitted so that its surface will be maintained at some fixed level, represent-ed by the dotted line W, whereby a space will be left within the boiler for the acstantially a fixed temperature.

fected by the thermal valve N, of which an c umulation and escape of vapor and steam. Such liquld level is maintained by means of the float D which controls the inlet valve D; While the temperature of the liquid is raised and remains at a substantially predetermined degree, said liquid is automatically allowed to flow from the boiler, and thereby lower the level W, causing fresh liquid to flow in; but such flow is regulated to accord with the elfect of the heat applied to the liquid, and such flow ismade dependent uponsuch heat being maintained at sub- This is of enlarged sectional view is shown in Fig. 3,

consisting of a valve N, having a stem N connected to a flexible diaphragm N", above which is a closed space N, from which extends a tube or feeler N into the boiler D. This valve N is kept normally closed by the spring N, and is piped to the boiler D. Said feeler N is filled with alcohol or other volatile fluid, from which vapor will be the liquid can flow in and out of the boiler at a rate corresponding to the heat maintained in the boiler. i

The heat exchange shown comprises a vesenters, through pipe A, and passes upward through tubes B on the way to boiler D through pipe. 0 and valve D, while the liquid which flows from boiler D enters shell B through pipeJ from valve N', and then flows inslde of shell B and outside of tubes B thereby bringing the cold inflowing liquid in thermal contact with the hot outflowing 1i uid, so that the same heat is returned an used over and over again, or so that the cold liquid entersthe boiler hot, and the hot liquid from the boiler leaves the heat exchange through the discharge pipe I. in a relatively cold state. 7 Y

The vapor separator shown consists of a tank M m WhlCh condensing pipes F are submerged in cooling liquid, maintained at a temperature adapted for condensing the steam of water, but not the vapor of alcohol. Both the vapor and steam from the boiler D flow through pipe E to the condensing pipes F, from which thewater of condensation from the steam'flows by gravitation down through the drain tubes G, to the return pipe H, and back to the boiler, while the vapor of alcohol and other gases continues through succeeding reaches of the pipe F, until such vapor passes out through the separator valve P, and then through pipe Y to where the alcoholic vapors are condensed, while some part of such vapor or gases is or may be led to the fire through pipe Y, for supplying or subduing the heat of the flame Y The separating valve P, shown in section in Fig. 4', com rises a valve P provided with a stem P an a spring P adapted for keeping the valve open; above the valve stem P is a flexible diaphragm P capable of being made to press upon the stem and close the valve against the resistance of the spring P above the diaphragm is a closed space (the same as in Fig. 3) from which a closed tube or feeler 0 extends into the pipe F, leadin from condensing pipes F to the valve Said feeler tube 0 is' filled with alcohol or other volatile fluid capable of being turned into vapor under pressure by the heat of the steam when it reaches said feeler, so that if the steam in said pipe is not. prop erly condensed before it reaches the feeler 0, then the fluid in feeler 0 will immediately be evaporated to an extent which will create a pressure upon the diaphragm P and either close or partially close valve P, and thus modify-the pressure within the still so that the steam will have time to condense or will condense more or less rapidly, and leave the alcoholic vapors and gases a'free passage through the valve, which will normally remain open for them.

The flame Y may furnish all or any part of the heat required for the apparatus, and each operation of the same can be made dependent upon the heat furnished by this flame, and this heat in turn may be made dependent upon the nature of properties of the vapors or gases which may be led to it from any part of the apparatus either for feeding or checking the flame, that its heat will be tempered to effect the conditions required for properly separating the alcohol from its liquid, by furnishing the flame with such vapor and gases as are adapted for maintainin the heat required, as shown by Fig. 1. Thus, if the flame Y burned too hotwhen pure alcohol or its vapor was led to it, then the still might or would be rushed, so

, that the steam, not having time to condense,

would advance and mingle with the vapor which supported the flame and thereby check its heat, and, in turn, slow or retard the action of the still until the steam had time to condense and allow such vapors to pass to the flame as would maintain the modified heat required. To this end a diaphragm regulator V may be employed which works the weighted lever V, shown in Fig. 5, and as more fully represented in Fig. 6, where the regulator is shown in connection with the apparatus, which .is substantially as shown in Fig. 1, with the addition of pipes, valves and details required for illustratin the relation of the regulator V to the still, wherein the fresh and exhausted liquid pass to and from boiler D through heat exchange B, subject to the thermal conditionof the fluid in the boiler. The vapor of alcohol and accompanying steam is conducted through pipe E, and the pipes F submerged in cooling liquid contained in the tank'M, which pipes E and F and tank M may represent an form of condensing column or device a apted for separating the steam or vapors of water from those of alcohol and returning the water back to the boiler, while that of the alcohol continues through pipes F and the separator valve P to a final condenser Q, where its liquid alcohol is delivered in a receiver Q in manner before explained.

Leading from different parts or steps in the apparatus are four pipes with valves, represented by Z, Z Z Z leading to a common junction or cross Z throu h which vapor or liquid can be drawn as tiey have been subjected to different degrees of distillation, which will determine their combustible, partially combustible or non-combustible nature, and thereby indicate the action of the still. Either of these vapors or fluids can be led from junction Z", through pipe Y to the burner, where they will produce the more or less heat at flame Y required for properly operating the still as before described; or, instead of usin pipe Y, said vapors or fluids can be con ucted through pipe Z to supply the flame Y for heating more or less the volatile fluid in the bulb V for causing a corresponding pressure on the diaphragm of the pressure regulator V to operate its weighted lever V. Now, the motion of lever V will correspond with the heating effect of the flame Y and this motion can be used to operate the valves V, and V, either or both of them, by suitable connection with lever V, and valve V can be used to regulate the flow of gas from any source through pipe X, to flame X, or control the flow of steam through a heating pipe leading to boiler D, or do any other work adapted for controlling the heat applied to the boiler, such as working dampers of a furnace used for that purpose. Or, the

level V may be used for working valve X used for regulating the supply of cooling liquid led through pipe X to tank M for maintaining the proper temperature therein,

or for doing any other regulating work for controlling the heat, the flow of material within the still, or that used for'efl'ecting the condensation required for automatically governing the action of the same.

It will be understood that my.invention is not confined to the use of the above named vapors and gases for creating heat for op erating the still, as heat may be applied to the still in any well 'known manner independently of or in conjunction with said vapors and gases. i

It will be seen in Figs. 3 and-4 that the vapor or liquid passing through their respective valves N and P will exert an upward or outward pressure upon their diaphragms, which pressure would tend. to either open or close the valves, and interfere with their action, were it not for the counteracting pressure exerted upon the diaphragms by the vapor from their feeler tubes N and O, which pressure accords with the heat which must correspond with any pressure that the liquids or vapors may exert while passing through the valves, and thereby cause these valves to work correctly through all degrees of heat and pressure to which they may be subjected.

Fig. 2 shows an apparatus similar to Fig.

1, but adapted for using the second effect of heat, and in which D is a boiler wherein steam and vapors are evolved by heat, and conducted through pipe E to the condensing pipes F, wherein the steam is condensed and returned to the boiler through pipe H,

while the vapor of alcohol in pipes 11 passes through the separating valve P and is then condensed in the cooler Q in manner before described. In this case the tank M isused as an evaporator for alcohol, formed as a closed vessel, into which liquid from which alcohol is to be secured is admitted by means of the float actuated valve C, up to the level represented by dotted line W, and then allowed to escape by the thermal valve N, after it has been heated by the steam in pipes F from boiler D up to a temperature adapted for driving alcoholic vapors from the liquid and not generating free steam therefrom. When the liquid leaves evaporator M it can be conducted through pipe H to the boiler D or through pipe H to the heat exchange B, where it meets the liquid from boiler D, which is allowed to flow therefrom through pipe H (after it reaches a certain level in the boiler), by means ofthe steam trap T, which allows the passage of liquid to the exclusion of steam or vapor. In this way, by means ofthe valves shown, the liquid can be made to enter and leave the boiler and evaporator M in multiple, or be caused to flow through both in series, and so chosen for ease of illustration, it is understood that full advantage can be taken of the state of the art in determining the practical forms which may be adopted in the construction of the apparatus utilized for carrying out my invention.

By the word steam in this application I mean aqueous or other vapor not desired as a product of distillation.

' Having now described my invention what I claim is v 1. The method of distillingi consisting in heating liquid to a degree su cient to cause vaporization of substantially all the alcohol in the liquid, maintaining the temperature of the liquid approximately at the temperature required for such vaporization and controllin'gthe flow of the liquid by the temperature of the liquid being distilled.

2. The method of distilling consisting in heating a body of liquid to a degree sufficient to cause partial va orization thereof, causing such liquid to ow by use of the temperature in the still, substantially at a predetermined degree, and maintaining the level of liquid in the still by a flow of liquid proportioned to the amount of the first named flow. a

3.- The method of distilling consisting in causing liquid in transitto absorb heat from juxtaposed hot liquid in transit, raising the temperature of such heated liquid to a degree suflicient to causevaporization of the alcohol thereof, and causing the heat that liquid to another circulating from and to a heated body of liquid, causing (partial vaporization'of such body of liqui and cansing said circulation of liquid by the temperature of such body of liquid.

5. The method ofv distilling consisting in causing cold supply li uid to absorb the heat from juxtaposed hot ischarge liquid while both are in transit and distilling such liquid and controlling the flow of such supply and dischar ed liquid by raising the temperature of the llquid just suflicient to effect the generation of the alcoholic vapor therefrom.

6. The method of separating combined liquids having different boiling points consisting in heating the liquid to a degree sufficient to cause partial vaporization of the liquid, causing the residual liquid to flow in accordance with the temperature required for such vaporization, and using a portion of the product of distlllation to effect vaporization of the liquid.

7. The method of separating liquids having different boiling points consisting in heating the liquid to a degree suflicient to cause partial vaporization of the liquid, causing the remaining liquid to flow in accordance with the temperature required for such vaporization, using a portion of the product of distillation for producing heat used in distilling such liquid and causing vapor of .distillation to modify such heat.

8. The method of separating liquids having different boiling points consisting in heating the liquid to a degree suflicient to cause desired part thereof and simultaneously vaporizing a desired part thereof, first condensing any such undesired vapor that may be carried over with the desired vapor, eniploying a portion of the desired vapor in effecting-the distillation of such liquid, and causing a portion of such undesired vapor carried with the desired vapor to modify such efiect.

' 10. The method of separating liquids having different boiling points consisting in applying heat to a body of liquid and vaporizing the same, condensin out of such vapor a non-combustible part t ereof at a temperature above the condensation point of a combustible part of said vapor, burning a portion of the combustible to said body of liquid to apply heat thereto, and causing a portion of the said non-combustible vapor to modify the heat of said burning vapor.

11,. The method of fractional condensation consisting in causing heat of steam, as distinguished from heat of commingled steam and vapor of more volatile liquid, to regulate the pressure under which said steam is condensed out of a mixture of steam and more volatile vapor without condensing said more volatile vapor.

12. The method of distilling consisting in causing liquid in transit to absorb heat from juxtaposed liquid in transit, raising the temperature of such heated liquid to a degree sufiicient to cause partial vaporization of said liquid, and causing the circulation of the liquid to depend upon the resultant temperature due to the heat applied and carried off by such vaporization.

13. The method of distilling consisting in heating liquid to cause partial vaporization vapor in proximity thereof, and burning part of the product to cause such partial vaporization and to contrql the circulation of the liquid through the sti l.

ADDISON G. WATERHOUSE. Witnesses:

HOWARD T. MESCHUT'I, GEORGE J. CAFFREY. 

